Ministries
There are thirteen ministries, all with their own minister, there are also several ministers without portfolio and about as many state secretaries. The ministries are:
- Ministry of General Affairs, occupied with coordination of government policy;
- Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (Netherlands) occupied with a range of tasks including the police, the civil service and the constitution. Historically most ministries split from this ministry, when portfolios like social affairs, education and agriculture became more important;
- Ministry of Justice occupied with legislation, sanctions and immigration;
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs which has traditionally had a minister without portfolio for international development and a state secretary for European Affairs;
- Ministry of Defense, occupied with coordinating the military of the Netherlands;
- Ministry of Finance which is responsible for taxation, the national budget and monetary affairs;
- Ministry of Economic Affairs, which has a declining number of portfolios within its jurisdiction, now limited to coordination of the Economy of the Netherlands, telecommunication and innovation. It traditionally has a state secretary for international trade;
- Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, occupied with coordinating the Dutch system of social security and employment;
- Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, traditionally led by a minister and two state secretaries one of whom is typically occupied with culture and the Netherlands Public Broadcasting;
- Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sports;
- Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, which occupied with planning use of land in the densely populated Netherlands;
- Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (Netherlands), which occupied with infrastructure and the Dutch system of defenses against the water;
- Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.
Read more about this topic: Cabinet Of The Netherlands
Famous quotes containing the word ministries:
“The State has but one face for me: that of the police. To my eyes, all of the State’s ministries have this single face, and I cannot imagine the ministry of culture other than as the police of culture, with its prefect and commissioners.”
—Jean Dubuffet (1901–1985)
“Called as partners in Christ’s service,
Called to ministries of grace,
We respond with deep commitment
Fresh new lines of faith to trace.
May we learn the art of sharing,
Side by side and friend with friend,
Equal partners in our caring
To fulfill God’s chosen end.”
—Jane Parker Huber (b. 1926)
“If English is spoken in heaven ... God undoubtedly employs Cranmer as his speechwriter. The angels of the lesser ministries probably use the language of the New English Bible and the Alternative Service Book for internal memos.”
—Charles, Prince Of Wales (b. 1948)